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Some Martial Motifs as Embedded Into Turkish Traditions



Author(s)

Sinan Çaya

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DOI:10.17265/2159-5526/2015.04.008

Istanbul University, Turkey

Turkish people traditionally make good soldiers. In the Republican Turkey, the draft [conscript service system is the valid application whereby privates (rankless plain soldiers)] are recruited from among healthy and young male citizens, for a specific term specified by law. Such draftees (conscrips) constitute the backbone of the military man-power. Their numbers attain figures much bigger than the numbers of rank-carrying personnel, namely the petty-officers and officers (generals are very few in number). It is a widely known fact that military life, all over the world, is indeed tough and this is especially true for the rank-and-file, who constitute the lowest levels or the base of the involved hierarchical pyramide. When conscripted for the service, the crushing majority of the young lads go to serve willingly (see Figure 1) and proudly and even with pleasure (see Figure 2). Those who do not readily render themselves to the armed forces are only a small minority. The reason for that is the high prestige enjoyed by all military personnel within the society. Deeply-rooted historical and cultural interpretations come into play, to make us understand the significance and even the sacredness of the armed service. Indeed, merely a collection of songs and ballads praising military themes, justifies the high value of soldierly ways for Turkisp people.

Soldier, conscript, army, military

Sociology Study, April 2015, Vol. 5, No. 4, 323-333